SANS study of the (V,Ti)C precipitation kinetics in Nanosteels

Nano-steels are a new generation of Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS) that are especially suited for lightweight automotive applications. The matrix of the steel, which provides ductility and stretch, is significantly strengthened by 30-50% as a result of the formation of nanometre-sized precipitates. These steels contain different microalloying additions, such as vanadium (V) and titanium (Ti), which form the nano-precipitates. A resource-efficient use of these alloying additions requires further knowledge on the formation kinetics of these nanometre-sized vanadium and titanium containing carbides. The formation of these nanoscale (V,Ti)C precipitates can be achieved by two mechanisms: (a) random precipitation from supersaturated ferrite and/or (b) interphase precipitation. Our previous studies have focused on the formation of VC precipitates. In this experiment we want to explore the effect of Ti substitution, which is expected to enhance nucleation. Our aim is to measure the random (V,Ti)C precipitation kinetics in NANO-steel by SANS and elucidate the effects of Ti addition for both interface and random precipitation.